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Aug 2002 Index

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Nature & Environment In Caithness

September 2002

TURNING RUBBISH INTO SUCCESS
With the closure of the Longman landfill site imminent, Highland industries face the prospect of finding alternative routes for waste disposal but a new Ross-shire company could have the answer to their problems.

From next spring, companies in the region will be responsible for their own waste disposal, increasing the demand for more efficient and environmentally friendly waste management techniques. With just months left to arrange for private companies to deal with their waste, businesses can now turn to brothers Rory and Gordon Bews from Evanton who have set up their own industrial waste collection and recycling service.

Operating out of Inverbreakie Industrial Estate, R&G Bews Ltd specialise in dealing with expanded polystyrene (EPS) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) which they compact and sell for recycling.  In the three weeks since they have been in business they have collected and compacted five tonnes of EPS waste from local fish processors. The bales will be transported to various recycling services in England and Wales where it is converted to wood and plastic substitute for items such as garden furniture and photo frames.

Rory Bews said: "The British Plastics Federation have put us in contact with several recycling companies in England and Wales and there seems to be a huge demand out there for recycled material. Now we can meet this need as more and more local companies are turning to private contractors like ourselves to take rubbish off their hands.

"I know from my past employment in the aquaculture industry that waste disposal is a big issue for companies, even more so now that the Longman dump is going to close. Fish farms and processors produce a huge amount of plastic and polystyrene waste so we are targeting them at the moment. We are starting with a small number of businesses in our local area as we're keen to get the customer service aspect right, but soon we hope to find recycling solutions for all sorts of waste.
"In the future we hope to work with schools, not only to dispose of their waste but to educate pupils on the importance of the environment and how they can recycle things - they are our future customers after all. We are also in discussion with Highland Council to set up collection bins at public amenity sites."

Gordon Bews is grateful for the help and advice they have received: "We have had a lot of support in the form of business advice and financial assistance from Ross & Cromarty Enterprise and Highland Opportunity Ltd as well as guidance from SEPA and the Highland Council. We would like to thank everyone involved in this venture for their continued support."

The new business received a £19,000 financial package from RACE as well as HIE Starts allowance worth £5,980 to provide a regular income in the first year of trading.

Gordon Cox, chief executive of RACE congratulated the brothers: "We are pleased to have been able to assist Rory and Gordon with their new venture. They have demonstrated initiative and enterprising flair with the timing of the launch of their new company which provides a local solution to local businesses."
Lorna Walker, SEPA's waste strategy co-ordinator explained that Longman landfill currently takes 200,000 tonnes of waste per annum from Inverness, Nairn, Ross and Cromarty and some parts of Sutherland - representing 65 per cent of all waste landfilled in the Highlands.

She said: "It's great news that this company has set up to solve a common waste problem. Recycling has environmental advantages over landfill, however as there are no local reprocessors, it's often difficult to find a way to make recycling work. With the Longman landfill closing next year, this is a good example of how businesses can solve their waste disposal problems. In the longer term, we need to look at the viability of local reprocessing businesses setting up."

Businesses interested in looking at recycling solutions for their waste should contact Rory or Gordon on 01349 830660 or email randgbews@hotmail.com.